recognized influential leader in Brevard County

The board of trustees of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy announced that Dr. Katherine Cobb has been named the school’s first president, effective April 17. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

Former Provost and Associate VP of Academic Programs for Eastern Florida State College to Assume Holy Trinity Leadership Role

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The board of trustees of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (HTEA) announced that Dr. Katherine Cobb has been named the school’s first president, effective April 17.

Cobb, a long-time Melbourne resident, comes to Holy Trinity from Eastern Florida State College, where she most recently served as provost and associate vice president for academic programs.

In her new role, Cobb will provide direction and oversight for 145 full- and part-time faculty and staff, and 850 students at two campuses.

Founded in 1957 in the Episcopal tradition, Holy Trinity provides an academically challenging college preparatory curriculum for students in preschool through grade 12, with an emphasis on educating the whole child – mind, body and spirit.

Cobb’s appointment culminates a lengthy process launched last fall as the school board’s search committee began the task of seeking the individual to effectively lead Holy Trinity into the next era.

Last September, current headmaster James Landi and board chairperson Dana Kilborne announced to the school community that HTEA would transition to the president model of leadership, a paradigm successfully implemented at many independent schools throughout the nation in recent years.

Holy Trinty headmaster James Landi, left, with new President Katherine Cobb. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

Landi will continue as headmaster through the remainder of this school year, as he works directly with Cobb to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.

Landi joined Holy Trinity as interim headmaster in September 2015, bringing to the role more than 30 years of experience in leading independent schools.

He was named headmaster in February 2016, providing leadership to the school throughout the search for his long-term replacement, and endorsing the president model of leadership as the ideal path for the school’s continued success. Prior to joining Holy Trinity, Landi had enjoyed a brief retirement.

“Although Mr. Landi never intended for his assignment at Holy Trinity to be long-term, his passion for the school has been evident as he skillfully embraced the challenges inherent with the leadership of a distinguished independent school,” said board chairperson Dana Kilborne.

“The board of trustees is deeply grateful for his devotion to HTEA these past two years.”

Of the search process, Kilborne explained, “The search committee considered candidates from across the country, with a determination to identify the single most qualified person to proficiently lead the school into its future.

“As the search continued, the committee discerned that the most distinguished candidate – an established leader in the field of education, with an understanding of the strategic dynamics of school operations – was also a natural fit for HTEA, with close ties to the school and to the local community. We could not be more pleased to welcome Dr. Katherine Cobb as our school’s first president.”

Cobb is a recognized influential leader in Brevard County, with an extensive background in educational leadership. Following her graduation from Stetson University, she received a Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law.

She practiced law for a number of years before joining Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College. She served in many capacities for the college prior to becoming provost and associate vice president for academic programs in 2014.

Cobb’s active engagement in the Space Coast community includes service as a board member and current chairperson for the Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, board member and past chair for the Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, board member and past president of the American Cancer Society, and board member for the Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech.

She also has served as an advisory board member for Stetson University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the Florida Bar Association.

Cobb is no stranger to Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, having served as a member of the school’s board of trustees from 1989-1993, 2003-2009, and 2012-2014. She and her husband, Mark, are the parents of two HTEA alumni, Alex (‘06) and Allison (‘11).